Sims sworn in as Guardian Ad Litem
Regina Sims (at right) was sworn in as a Guardian Ad Litem by the Honorable Celey Anne Brigman, Family Court Judge. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, is proud to announce the swearing-in of a new Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteer in Darlington County.
During the swearing-in ceremony Regina Sims took an oath to provide a voice for abused and neglected children involved in family court legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services. The ceremony took place on Thursday, July 11, at the Darlington County Family Court House and was presided over by the Honorable Celey Anne Brigman.
Sims joins other dedicated Darlington County community members who have been trained and are advocating for foster children in the family court system. The primary purpose of each GAL is to represent the best interests of the child during court proceedings. This requires each GAL to visit the child monthly to learn about the child’s wishes. They must also assess the child’s immediate safety and conduct interviews with others involved in the child’s life, including caseworkers, teachers, foster parents, and family members. The GAL then reports this information to the family court judge at scheduled hearings, along with a recommendation on the best course of action for the child.
“We’re always looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about advocating for children,” says Brandi Johnson, regional recruiter, and trainer for the GAL program. “If you are interested in learning how you can change a child’s story, we encourage you to visit gal.sc.gov to learn more.”
Volunteers should be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, no previous DSS case history, and be able to contribute four to five hours a month of their time for a child. Free training is provided to all volunteers. The next training classes begins on September 3, 2024.
For more information on becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, contact Brandi Johnson at (843) 731-7622 or Brandi.Johnson@childadvocate.sc.gov or visit gal.sc.gov.
